Supporting arrangement for breaker plates of ignition distributors in internal combustion engines



Apnl 28, 1964 w. HOVEN 3,131,266

SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BREAKER PLATES 0F IGNITION DISTRIBUTORS ININTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 30, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I? I 2FIG 2 1/225 M R Z AA , z '7 7o. 25 15 16 lug- J B t 11 II 12c G 0 1*.121') O 21) it I V 8' X60. m) 8 32 :L 6 INVENTOR "I MLHELM yous/vaAae-unerorz If ff/fl/Qr ATTORNEY Apr1l28, 1964 w. HOVEN 3,131,266

SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BREAKER PLATES OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTORS ININTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 30, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY A April 28, 1964 w. HOVEN 3,131,266

.SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BREAKER PLATES OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTORS ININTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 30, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F1 1o 51081) Z5 1.080. I [E L Zia( Z Zw.%

INVENTOR W/LHELM Hovav ATTORNEY Apnl 28, 1964 w. HOVEN 3,131,266

SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BREAKER PLATES OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTORS ININTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June so, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4III/II/IIII;

FIG-

INVENTOR ML H EL M 1 /0 vE/v ATTORNEY United States Patent SUPPORTINGARRANGEMENT FOR BREAKER PLATES OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTORS IN IN- TERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES Wilhelm Hoven, Wurselen, Germany, assignor to Gal-be,

Lahmeyer & Co. Aktiengesellschaft, Aachen, Germany Filed June 30, 1960,Ser. No. 39,989 Claims priority, application Germany July 1, 1959 13Claims. (Cl. 200-30) The present invention relates to ignitiondistributors for internal combustion engines, and more particularly toan improved ignition distributor which embodies a vacuum advancemechanism. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a novelsupporting and adjusting arrangement for the breaker plates of ignitiondistributors of the type embodying a vacuum advance mechanism.

It is well known to provide in an ignition distributor an arrangementwhich controls the timing of the spark in dependency on the rotationalspeed of the internal combustion engine. Such arrangement normallyassumes the shape of a centrifugal advance mechanism which controls therotor of the ignition distributor so that the rotor is angularlydisplaced in the direction in which the drive shaft of the distributorrotates whenever the rotational speed of the engine increases. The rotorcontrols the opening and closing of contacts in the ignitiondistributor.

It is also known to advance the spark in dependency on the loadconditions in an internal combustion engine. This is achieved with thehelp of the suction generated in the intake manifold of the carburetorin that the suction causes displacements of a diaphragm. This diaphragmis connected by a suitable linkage with the breaker plate of theignition distributor and turns the breaker plate in a direction counterto the direction in which the rotor is driven whenever the suction inthe intake manifold increases. To permit such angular displacements ofthe breaker plate, the latter is usually mounted on a cylindrical sleevewhich is rotatable about the drive shaft of the interrupter rotor.

A serious disadvantage of such vacuum advance mechanisms is that thelinkage which is responsive to the vacuum in the intake manifold of thecarburetor must overcome substantial frictional forces in order to bringabout angular displacements of the breaker plate with respect to thedrive shaft of the ignition distributor. Such frictional forces developbetween the aforementioned sleeve and the drive shaft, and will alsodepend on the temperature as well as on vibrations of the partsconstitut ing the distributor. Consequently, the breaker plate must besubjected to comparatively large turning forces in order to change thetiming of the spark. This, in turn, necessitates the provision of verylarge diaphragms resulting in bulky construction of ignitiondistributors. Furthermore, the bearings for the breaker plate and forthe connecting linkage must be finished with utmost precision in orderto insure that the breaker plate will react to comparatively smallchanges in vacuum conditions prevailing in the intake manifold.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsupporting arrangement for the breaker plates of ignition distributorswhich insures that the breaker plate will immediately react to verysmall changes in vacuum conditions prevailing in the intake manifold ofthe carburetor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ignition distributor ofthe above outlined characteristics in which the linkage between thebreaker plate and the diaphragm may be adjusted within any desiredrange.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ignition distributorin which the breaker plate is mounted 3,131,266 Patented Apr. 28, 1964ice in such a Way that it is subjected to very little or no frictionwhen turned by the vacuum advance mechanism, and in which the positionof the breaker plate within the dis tributor housing may be adjustedwithout it being necessary to remove any conponent parts of thedistributor.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an ignitiondistributor of the just outlined characteristics in which the breakerplate is mounted in such a way that it cannot be axially shifted whensubjected to the action of the vacuum advance mechanism.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an ignitiondistributor whose breaker plates may be restricted to pure angularmovements despite the face that it is free to float in the interior ofthe distributor housing.

With the above objects in view, the invention rides in the provision ofan ignition distributor which comprises a preferably cup-shaped housingdefining a chamber, a breaker plate floatingly received in the chamberof the housing, and at least one substantially radially arranged,preferably flat leaf spring which connects the breaker plate with thedistributor housing in such manner that, when the breaker plate issubjected to the turning action of the vacuum advance mechanism, thespring or springs will prevent any other but angular movements of thebreaker plate. In other words, the spring or springs not only constitutea support means for the breaker plate but also act as pivot bearings forthe breaker plate so that the latter is properly guided whenever it isacted upon by the vacuum advance mechanism. The plane of each spring isperpendicular to the plane of the breaker plate.

According to one embodiment of my invention, the breaker plate ismounted for eccentric angular movements about an axis parallel with theaxis of the distributor housing; in such instances, a single radial leafspring is normally suificient to insure guidance of the breaker plate.However, if it is desired to mount the breaker plate for angulardisplacements about the axis of the distributor housing, the breakerplate is mounted on two, three or more flat springs which extendradially with respect thereto and permit only coaxial angulardisplacements of the plate with respect to the housing. It is alsodesirable, particularly if the breaker plate is supported by a singlespring, to subject the spring to an initial tension so that it alwaystends to turn the breaker plate in a given direction, either counter toor in the same direction as the action of the vacuum advance mechanism.When the breaker plate should perform comparatively large angularmovements, it is preferably mounted for rotation about the axis of thedistributor housing; however, it may be mounted eccentrically if it mustperform only small angular movements in response to the operation of thevacuum advance mechanism. Other features of my invention reside in theprovision of means permitting for ad justments in the position of thebreaker plate, in the provision of specifically configurated springswhich prevent axial displacements of the breaker plate when the latteris caused to turn under the action of the vacuum advance mechanism, andin the provision of a longitudinally adjustable linkage which forms partof the vacuum advance mechanism and articulately connects the breakerplate with the aforementioned diaphragm.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following detailed description of threespecific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an ignition distributor embodying one formof my invention according to which the breaker plate is supported by asingle spring for 3 eccentric angular displacements with respect to thedistributor housing, the cap and the distributor finger having beenomitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG 2 is an axial section through the housing of the ignitiondistributor, the section being taken along the line II'II of FIG. 1, asseen in the direction of arrows;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a distributor which isslightly different from the distributor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thebreaker plate being shown removed from the chamber of the distributorhousing;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a modified distributor with the cap anddistributor finger removed, showing three radially arranged U-shapedsprings supporting the breaker plate for angular displacements coaxiallywith the distributor housing;

FIG. 5 is an axial section through the modified distributor as seen inthe direction of arrows from the line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a further modification showing threedifferently mounted U-shaped radial springs which support the breakerplate, the cap and the distributor finger having been omitted for thesake of clarity; and

FIG. 7 is an axial section through the distributor as seen in thedirection of arrows from the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, andfirst to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an ignition distributor whichcomprises a cupped distributor housing 1 floatingly receiving in itschamber 39 a breaker plate 2 which supports the contact means 3, 4forming part of the interrupter arrangement. The plane of the breakerplate 2 is perpendicular to the axis of the housing 1 and the plate issecured to the inner side of this housing by a resilient element in theform of a substantially radial leaf spring 6, the inner end of thissupporting spring being received between and fixed to a pair of angularbrackets 5 each of which is rigidly mounted on the breaker plate. Theplane of the spring 6 is perpendicular to the plane of the breakerplate. The outer end of the spring 6 is received between and is fixed toa pair of brackets 7, 12 each of which is mounted on the housing 1, asby screws 7a, 12a, respectively. The rigid connection between thebrackets 5, 5 and 7, 12 on the one hand and the ends of spring 6 on theother hand is established by pairwise arranged rivets 25 or the like.

The distributor housing 1 has a hollow extension 1a which is fixed toits outer side and whose outer end supports a two-piece casing 8 formingpart of the vacuum advance mechanism and mounting a diaphragm 8a in sucha manner that the diaphragm constitutes an airtight seal between athreaded nipple 11 forming part of the casing 8 and the interior of thedistributor housing 1. The inner side of the diaphragm is connected withan actuating rod 10, the latter extending through the extension 1a andthrough an opening in the housing 1 so that its spherical forward end 9projects into a suitable marginal recess or socket 2a formed in thebreaker plate 2. The supporting spring 6 is under tension so as to biasthe breaker plate 2 in anticlockwise direction about an axis which isparallel with the axis of the housing 1. In other words, the spring 6tends to draw the adjusting rod 10 into the housing 1 because thespherical head 9 of this rod is rotatably anchored in the recess 2a.

The parts 8a, 10 constitute the linkage of the vacuum advance mechanismwhich may turn the breaker plate 2 so as to advance the spark in thecylinders of an internal combustion engine. The threaded nipple 11defines a vacuum passage and is connected with a conduit 11a leading tothe carburetor 11b, and more particularly to the intake manifold of thecarburetor. The vacuum in the component 8" of the casing 8 at the outerside of the diaphragm 8a enables this diaphragm to move radiallyoutwardly and away from the distributor housing 1 whereby the diaphragmentrains the adjusting rod 10 because the outer end of this rod isconnected with the diaphragm and thus will participate in the lattersmovements in response to any changes in pressure at the outer side ofthe diaphragm, i.e. in the intake manifold of the carburetor 11b. Whenthe rod 10 is axially displaced in outward direction, it turns thebreaker plate 2 in clockwise direction against the bias of the spring 6so that the breaker plate will perform a small angular movement about apivot axis which is eccentric with respect to the axis of the housing 1.This pivot axis is located substantially at the free end of the arm 12cforming part of the bracket 12. Thus, the diaphragm 8a is linked to thebreaker plate 2 in such a way that the breaker plate will turn inclockwise direction at a rate proportional with each increase in thevacuum prevailing in the intake manifold of the carburetor 11b. Theangular displacement of the breaker plate 2 need not be large, i.e. itis normally in the range of a few degrees. When the throttle of aconveyance utilizing the internal combustion engine equipped with myimproved ignition distributor is wide open and little or no vacuumprevails in the intake manifold, a maximum quantity of fuel-air mixtureenters the cylinder of the engine and no spark advance beyond theadvance caused by the customary centrifugal advance mechanism 26 isneeded. However, if the throttle is partially closed, a certainpercentage of the fuel-air mixture is throttled off and the mixtureflowing into the cylinders is compressed to a lesser extent. In order toinsure satisfactory combustion, the spark must be advanced beyond suchadvance as is brought about by the centrifugal advance mechanism 26.This is achieved by turning the breaker plate 2 with the help ofmanifold vacuum which causes the diaphragm 8a to bulge outwardly underthe action of atmospheric pressure prevailing in the chamber 30 of thehousing 1 and in the latters extension 1a so that the diaphragm 8a movesthe adjusting rod 10 radially outwardly and, in cooperation with butagainst the bias of the supporting spring 6, causes a clockwise angulardisplacement of the breaker plate 2 to advance the spark by apredetermined value so that the contacts are opened and closed earlierin the cycle.

An important feature of the improved distributor arrangement, clearlyshown in FIG. 2 is that the friction developing during angulardisplacements of the breaker plate 2 is reduced to a minimum, i.e. thevacuum advance mechanism is much more sensitive. In fact, the vacuum atthe outer side of the diaphrgam 8a must overcome only the bias of thespring 6 and the minimal friction existing between the spherical head 9of the adjusting rod 10 and the wall of the recess 2a in the breakerplate. It is often advisable to place the helical spring 8b between theouter side of the diaphragm 8a and the outer component 8 of the casing8. The extension 1a and the inner component 8' are formed with suitablebore means to properly guide the adjusting rod 10 during the lattersreciprocatory movements in response to the bias of the spring 6 or inresponse to increasing vacuum in the interior of the component 8". Thespring 6 may be prestressed in such a way that it will tend to bias thebreaker plate 2 in clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

FIG. 1 shows that the U-shaped bracket 12 supports a second leaf spring13 whose free end extends into a suitable marginal cutout 14 bounded bya forked portion of the breaker plate 2. Thus, one arm 12b of theU-shaped bracket 12 is secured to the bracket 7 and to the platesupporting spring 6 (rivets 25), and its other arm is secured to theouter end of the biasing spring 13. The bracket 12 thus constitutes acarrier for the spring 13 and its purpose is to adjust the position ofthe spring 13 so as to adjust the bias of this spring upon the breakerplate, if necessary. To that end, this carrier bracket 12 consists of adeformable material, e.g. sheet metal, and by bending its arm 126 onecan adjust the bias upon the breaker plate 2 by varying the position ofthe adjusting spring 13 because the spring 13 then will exert adifferent pressure against the wall of the cutout 14. As is shown inFIG. 2, the housing 1 may be provided with a suitable aperture 112 whichenables a mechanic utilizing a suitable tool to reach into the interiorof the housing 1 and to deflect the arm 120 of the bracket 12 and tothus vary the position of the spring 13 without even removing the cap ofthe ignition distributor. In addition, the aperture 1b allows entry ofatmospheric air into the chamber 30 of the housing 1, into the extension1a and into the inner component 8 of the casing 8 so that atmosphericpressure always prevails at the inner side of the diaphragm 8a.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the housing 1 is formedwith a pair of diametrically opposed peripheral depressions 15 each ofwhich may receive the suitably bent end of a snap-on spring 16 servingas a connecting means for securing the non-illustrated cap to thedistributor housing. The bent ends of the springs 16 extend beneath andare engaged by suitable lugs 17 which form part of the housing 1 so thatthe cap is safely held against unintentional separation from thehousing. FIG. 2 also shows that the supporting spring 6 is ofconsiderable width, as seen in the axial direction of the housing 1, andthat the width of the brackets 5, 7, 12 preferably at least approachesthe Width of the spring 6 so that the latter is safely held against anytwisting from a plane perpendicular to the plane of the breaker plateand will yield only in a direction to permit angular displacement of thebreaker plate 2 about an axis which is parallel with the axis of thehousing 1. Owing to such configuration and mounting of the spring 6, noother means for supporting the breaker plate 2 is necessary, i.e. thisspring 6 constitutes the sole means for fioatingly supporting thebreaker plate in the chamber of the housing 1.

The construction of the contact means 3, 4 of the centrifugal advancemechanism 26 shown in FIG. 2 above the breaker plate 2', of variousconductor means 27 which connect the contact means with the battery andwith the spark plugs, as well as the construction and mounting of thedrive shaft 28 for the rotor 29 forms no part of my invention;therefore, such parts are shown only partially in the drawings.

FIG. 3 illustrates a slightly diiferent distributor whose housing 301carries two U-shaped pivot members 317 each permanently connected with asnap-on spring 316. These springs may engage with shoulders 316aprovided on the cap C to releasably hold the cap on the housing 301 whenthe distributor is fully assembled.

The breaker plate 302 is supported by a single bracket 312 which isformed with two inwardly bent flanges 307 receiving therebetween theouter end of the radial spring 306. The inner end of this spring 306 isreceived between and is secured to a pair of brackets 305 carried by thebreaker plate. It will be noted that the plane of the spring 306 isagain perpendicular to the plane of the breaker plate 302. The bracket312 may be secured to the cylindrical wall of the housing 301 by two ormore screws or rivets, not shown, so as to mount the breaker plate 302in the chamber 330 in the same position as described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2.

The adjusting spring 13 is replaced by a helical spring 313 whose endsare held by a pin 314 extending radially from the breaker plate 302 andby a similar pin (not shown) which may be threaded into a tapped bore312d of the bracket 312'. The adjusting spring 313 will tend to pivotthe breaker plate 302 about an axis which is parallel with the axis ofthe housing 301 and which is located between the innermost verticaledges of the flanges 307. This spring 313 may counteract the bias of thespring 306 if the latter is prestressed when the breaker plate 302 isinserted into the housing 301, or both springs may bias the plate 302 inthe same direction. The head 9 of the adjusting rod 10 is insertableinto a recess in the plate 302 upon removal of a retaining member 309awhich thereupon holds this head in the recess to maintain the plate 302in requisite position of equilibrium depending on the vacuum conditionsprevailing in the carburetor and on the bias of the springs 306 and 313.

The tension of the spring 313 and hence the position of the breakerplate 302 may be adjusted by turning the screw which extends through thebore 312d. This screw also extends through a radial bore 301d in thehousing 301 so that the tension of the spring 313 may be adjustedwithout removing the cap C. The opening 1b, shown in FIG. 2, is notnecessary in the construction of FIG. 3.

The modified ignition distributor which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5comprises three symmetrically arranged supporting leaf springs 21 whichextend radially with respect to the axis of the housing 101 and arepreferably uniformly spaced from each other. In addition, while thespring 6 of FIG. 1 extends upwardly from the breaker plate 2, thesprings 21 are located at a level below but again in planesperpendicular to the plane of the modified breaker plate 102. Theunderside of the plate 102 carries three pairs of angular brackets 22each pair of which receives therebetween the inner arm of one of thesprings 21. The outer arms of these springs are received betweenpairwise arranged brackets 20 which are secured to the innerside of thehousing 101. As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the arms of U-shaped springs 21are parallel with the axis of the housing 101, i.e. with the axis aboutwhich the breaker plate 102 should be turned by the vacuum advancemechanism.

The spherical head 109 of the adjusting rod 110 is axially shiftable ina direction parallel with a radial plane of the housing 101 in contrastto the rod 10 of FIG. 1 which extends radially into the housing 1. Therod 110 of FIGS. 4 and 5 passes through a peripheral opening 23 in thehousing 101 and is received in a concave recess 102a of the breakerplate 102 so that it may turn the plate against the bias of thesupporting U-springs 21. FIG. 4 shows a pair of nuts 110a, 11% whichpermit axial displacements of the end portion 1100 with respect to themain body portion of the rod 110 so that the eifective length of thisadjusting rod may be changed within a desired range such as is necessaryfor proper positioning of the breaker plate 102. It will be readilyunderstood that the recess 102a need not open into the periphery of thebreaker plate 102 but that this recess may assume the shape of a concavedepression in the upper side or in the underside of the breaker plate102 as long as it provides a satisfactory socket for the head 109 sothat the adjusting rod 110 may turn the breaker plate in response tochanges in pressure conditions prevailing in the intake manifold of thecarburetor, not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The casing 108 of the diaphragm108a is located eccentrically of the housing 101 and its outer component108" houses a coil spring 108b which maintains the diaphragm 108a inrequisite position and acts against the atmospheric pressure prevailingin the component 108. If the vacuum prevailing in the intake manifold ofthe carburetor and com municated through the nipple 111 increases, theatmospheric pressure in the component 108" will counteract the expandingforce of the spring 10% and will cause the rod 110 to move in outwarddirection so as to bring about an anticlockwise rotation of the breakerplate 102, reference being had to FIG. 4.

It will be readily understood that, owing to their specific shape andalso owing to the manner of their mounting, the supporting springs 21will permit only tangential displacements of their points of connectionwith the breaker plate 102 so that this breaker plate is rotated aboutthe axis of the housing 101 in response to axial displacements of theadjusting rod 110.

In accordance with an elementary form of my invention, the ignitiondistributor could comprise a breaker plate 102 mounted on simplestraight leaf springs connected with the base 1010 of the housing 101and with the breaker plate 102. However, if it would become necessary torotate the breaker plate through a larger angle, such simple axiallyparallel springs would cause the breaker plate 102 to move in adirection toward the base 101a which would move certain parts carried bythe breaker plate out of proper position with respect to the parts whichmust cooperate therewith. In other words, were the breaker plate 102mounted on springs carried by the base 101e, the plate necessarily wouldperform a combined angular and axial movement with respect to thehousing 101 which is not desirable and is prevented by mounting thebreaker plate in a manner as described in connection with FIGS. l-5.Because the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and utilizes U-shaped springs 21whose points of connection with the breaker plate 102 are at the samelevel, and because the webs or bases 21a of these springs are at equaldistance from the breaker plate, the latter will perform a pure rotarymovement without any displacements in the axial direction of the housing101 when turned by the spherical head 109 of the adjusting rod 110. Itwill be readily understood that the bases 21a of springs 21 will merelymove in upward direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, if the angle throughwhich the breaker plate 102 is turned increases but that the breakerplate will not be moved to a higher or lower level.

As stated in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the spring means 6 whichsupports the breaker plate 2 is inserted into the housing 1 under aninitial tension, i.e. in prestressed condition, so that the breakerplate will tend to rotate in anticlockwise direction. Consequently, thespring means 6 will tend to draw the adjusting rod into the distributorhousing. The U-shaped springs 21 of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be mounted insimilar manner so that the rod 110 will counteract their tendency toturn the breaker plate 102 in anticlockwise direction.

The arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar to the one shown in FIGS. 4and 5, excepting that the arms of U-shaped supporting springs 221 extendsubstantially radially with respect to the axis of the housing 201. Thesprings 221 are located at the underside of the breaker plate 202 andare connected with the inner side of the housing 201 and with thebreaker plate in such a way that their bases 2210 extend in parallelismwith the housing axis. Such mounting of the springs 221 prevents thebreaker plate 202 from performing any other but angular movements whenrocked by the adjusting rod 210. It will be noted that the arms 221a ofsprings 221 which are connected to the breaker plate 202 are shorterthan the other arms of those springs, i.e. the longer arm 22112 of eachsupporting spring is connected with the inner side of the housing 201.The construction of the vacuum advance mechanism including the parts inthe diaphragm casing 208 is identical with the construction of parts inthe casings 8 and 108.

The shorter arms 221a of the springs 221 are held between pairwisearranged brackets 222 carried by the plate 202, and similar pairwisearranged brackets 220 secure the outer ends of springs 221 to thehousing 202. If desired the arms of the springs 221 may be ofapproximately equal length.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention,and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, housing means defining a chamber; breaker plate means inthe chamber of said housing means; and means for supporting said breakerplate means pivotably in said housing means about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate means while preventingany movement in axial direction and any tilting relative to said axis,said supporting means comprising at least one leaf spring fixedlyconnected at opposite end portions thereof with said housing means andwith said breaker plate means respectively, and extending in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate means.

2. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, substantially cup-shaped housing means having an axis anddefining a chamber; breaker plate means in the chamber of said housingmeans and extending perpendicular to said axis of said housing; andmeans for supporting said breaker plate means pivotably about an axisperpendicular tothe plane of said breaker plate means, said supportingmeans comprising at least one prestressed leaf spring connected withsaid housing means and with said breaker plate means and extending in aplane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said breaker platemeans, said spring permanently biasing said breaker plate means in oneangular direction for rotation about said last mentioned axis.

3. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, substantially cup-shaped housing means having an axis anddefining a chamber; breaker plate means in the chamber of said housingmeans and extending perpendicular to said axis of said housing; meansfor supporting said breaker plate means pivotably about an axisperpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate means, said supportingmeans comprising at least one prestressed leaf spring connected withsaid housing means and with said breaker plate means and extending in aplane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said breaker platemeans, said spring permanently biasing said breaker plate means in afirst angular direction for rotation about said axis; and meansarticulately connected with said breaker plate means for turning saidbreaker plate means in a second angular direction against the bias ofsaid spring.

4. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, housing means defining a chamber; breaker plate means inthe chamber of said housing means; means for supporting said breakerplate means pivotably in said housing means, said supporting meanscomprising a prestressed leaf spring connected with said housing meansand with said breaker plate means and extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular tothe plane of said breaker plate means; and biasing meansfor said breaker plate means comprising a spring connected to saidhousing means and extending into a marginal cutout formed in saidbreaker plate means, the position of said last mentioned spring beingadjustable to thereby adjust the bias upon said breaker plate means.

5. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, housing means defining a chamber; breaker plate means inthe chamber of said housing means; means for supporting said breakerplate means pivotably in said housing means, said supporting meanscomprising a prestressed leaf spring connected with said housing meansand with said breaker plate means and extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate means; and biasingmeans for said breaker plate means, said biasing means comprising abracket fixed to and located in the chamber of said housing means, and aspring connected with said bracket and extending into a marginal cutoutformed in said breaker plate means, said bracket being deform-able tothereby adjust the bias of said last mentioned spring upon said breakerplate means.

6. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, housing means defining a chamber; breaker plate means inthe chamber of said housing means; means for supporting said breakerplate means pivotably in said housing means, said supporting meanscomprising a prestressed leaf spring connected with said housing meansand with said breaker plate means and extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate means; and biasingmeans for said breaker plate means comprising a spring connected to saidhousing means and extending into a marginal cutout formed in saidbreaker plate means, the position of said last mentioned spring beingadjustable to thereby adjust the bias upon said breaker plate means,said housing means being formed with aperture means providing access tosaid last mentioned spring means.

7. In an ignition distributor tor internal combustion engines, incombination, a cupshaped housing defining a chamber and having an axis;a breaker plate in the chamber of said housing; and means tor supportingsaid breaker plate pivotably about the axis of said housing, saidsupporting means comprising a plurality of sym metrically arranged leafsprings each extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to theplane of said breaker plate and substantially radially with respect tosaid axis, each spring having a first end non-tiltably connected withsaid housing and a second end non-tiltably connected with said breakerplate.

8. In an ignition distributor tor internal combustion engines, incombination, a cup-shaped housing defining a chamber and having an axis;a breaker plate in the chamber of said housing; and means for supportingsaid breaker plate pivotably about the axis of said housing, said supporting means comprising at least three symmetrically arrangedequidistant leaf springs each extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate and substantiallyradially with respect to said axis, each spring having a first endnon-tiltably connected with said housing and a second end non-tiltablyconnected with said breaker plate.

9. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, a cup-shaped housing defining a chamber and having an axis;a breaker plate in the chamber of said housing; and means for supportingsaid breaker plate pivotably about the axis of said housing, saidsupporting means comprising a plurality of symmetrically arrangedU-shaped leaf springs each extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said breaker plate and substantiallyradially with respect to said axis, each spring having a first endnon-tiltably connected with said housing and a second end non-tiltablyconnected with said breaker plate.

10. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, a cup-shaped housing defining a chamber and having an axis;a breaker plate in the chamber of said housing, said breaker plate beinglocated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said housing; and meansfor supporting said breaker plate pivotably about the axis of saidhousing, said supporting means comprising a plurality of flat springseach extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane ofsaid breaker plate and substantially radially with respect to said axis,each spring being of U-shape and each having a first arm extendingradially with respect to said axis and connected with said housing, anda second arm extending radially of said axis and connected with saidbreaker plate.

11. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, a cup-shaped housing defining a chamber and having an axis;a breaker plate in the chamber of said housing, said breaker plate beinglocated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said housing; and meansfor supporting said breaker plate pivotably about the axis of saidhousing, said supporting means comprising a plurality of fiat springseach extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane ofsaid breaker plate and substantially radially with respect to said axis,each spring being of U-shape and each having a first arm extending inparallelism with said axis and connected with said housing, and a secondarm extending in parallelism with said axis and connected with saidbreaker plate.

12. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, a cup-shaped housing defining a chamber and having an axis;a breaker plate in the chamber of said housing, said breaker plate beinglocated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said housing; and meansfor supporting said breaker plate pivotably about the axis of saidhousing, said supporting means comprising a plurality of flat springseach extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane ofsaid breaker plate and substantially radially with respect to said axis,each spring being of U-shape and each having two arms of equal length,one of said arms being connected Withsaid housing and the other of saidarms being connected with said breaker plate.

13. In an ignition distributor for internal combustion engines, incombination, a housing; a breaker plate extending substantially in aplane transversely through said housing; and support means forsupporting said breaker plate in said housing pivotably about an axissubstantially normal to said plane while preventing any movement inaxial direction and any tilting relative to said axis, said supportmeans comprising at least one leaf spring con nected at opposite endportions thereof to said housing and said breaker plate, respectively,and extending in a plane transverse to the direction of pivotal movementof said breaker plate and substantially normal to the plane of thelatter, said leaf spring constituting the only support connectionbetween said housing and said breaker plate, whereby during pivoting ofsaid breaker plate said spring will be deflected and such pivoting willnot be impeded by friction forces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,590,827 Hunt June 29, 1926 1,873,343 Seyfried Aug. 23, 1932 2,056,676Kennedy Oct. 6, 1936 2,085,817 Melcher et al. July 6, 1937 2,167,164Williams July 25, 1939 2,264,895 Starr Dec. 2, 1941 2,444,149 AldridgeJune 29, 1948 2,739,195 Bales Mar. 20, 1956 2,830,141 Straub et al. Apr.8, 1958 2,845,502 Sterner July 29, 1958 2,936,140 Copeland May 10, 1960

1. IN AN IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, INCOMBINATION, HOUSING MEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER; BREAKER PLATE MEANS INTHE CHAMBER OF SAID HOUSING MEANS; AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BREAKERPLATE MEANS PIVOTABLY IN SAID HOUSING MEANS ABOUT AN AXIS SUBSTANTIALLYPERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAID BREAKER PLATE MEANS WHILE PREVENTINGANY MOVEMENT IN AXIAL DIRECTION AND ANY TILTING RELATIVE TO SAID AXIS,SAID SUPPORTING MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE LEAF SPRING FIXEDLYCONNECTED AT OPPOSITE END PORTIONS THEREOF WITH SAID HOUSING MEANS ANDWITH SAID BREAKER PLATE MEANS RESPECTIVELY, AND EXTENDING IN A PLANESUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAID BREAKER PLATE MEANS.